Petersburg

Petersburg is a city of 2,200 people (2018) in Central Illinois.

Understand

The economy of the area is still derived primarily from agriculture, particularly in corn production. The town has become a bedroom community for the state capital of Springfield.

Get in

It is 2 miles north of New Salem, and 20 miles to the northwest of Springfield.

See

• 1 Lincoln's New Salem State Park, 15588 History Lane, ☏ +1 217 632-4000. May-Oct: Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM; Nov-Apr: Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year's Day. This park, with its log cabin village, is two miles south of Petersburg. This is where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1831 to 1837. Along with the rebuilt cabins, the park also boasts a historical center and an outdoor theater. It now has more than one-half million visitors each year. Camping is available on site. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Starhill Forest Arboretum. The arboretum's primary scientific collection is a quercetum (oak collection). (updated Nov 2021)
• Edgar Lee Masters Home, on the corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets. Late May to early Sep: Tu-Sa 10AM-noon and 1-3PM. (updated Nov 2021)

Sleep

• Camping is available at Lincoln's New Salem State Park, listed above.
• River Bank Lodge, 522 S. 6th St, ☏ +1 217 632-0202, riverbanklodge@aol.com. A beautiful hotel that was opened in 2006. The hotel is a modern lodge with country ambience at the Sangamon River. $78-145. (updated Nov 2021)